David Ricci: Hunter Gatherer

David Ricci

/ ISBN 13: 9798987784594

Published by MW Editions, US, 2026

The inanimate tableaux of American resale marketplaces illuminate the evils of the past embedded in collectible objectsAmerican photographer David Ricci spent seven years traveling across the US making photographs at antique malls and fairs, curio shops, thrift stores and other sites where consumer goods from the past are offered for resale. The images in Hunter Gatherer expose the hidden underbelly of American resale marketplaces and cast a light on the country's historical biases and stereotypes, weaving together a tapestry of racism, objectification, beauty standards, Christianity and consumerism. Ricci photographed these objects, displays and scenes as he found them. Some are humorous-a Catholic nun figurine praying over a Batman Pez dispenser-but the juxtapositions of blatantly racist objects including lawn jockeys, Black mammy figurines, and tomahawk-wielding Native Americans with anodyne items like lamps and bicycles call attention to the darker aspects of present-day America as well as its history. Though no people appear in the images, depictions of human figures suggest thoughts, dialogues and narratives that transform lifeless scenes into animated tableaux. The images in Hunter Gatherer provide a critical lens for examining the underlying values and biases that continue to shape contemporary American society.David Ricci is a self-taught American photographer whose work explores human relationships with the environment and physical objects. His images function as both historical document and social mirror, compelling viewers to examine the characteristics of American society and material culture. His monograph, EDGE (2022) received the Foreword Indies gold award in photography. His photographs have been exhibited in numerous solo exhibitions and are held in several permanent collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Fogg Museum at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; Winnipeg Art Gallery; Hyde Collection, Glans Falls, NY; Danforth Museum, Framingham, MA; and Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, MA. Seller Inventory # LU-9798987784594

Synopsis:

<p><b>The inanimate tableaux of American resale marketplaces illuminate the evils of the past embedded in collectible objects</b></p><p>Scouring antique malls, collectible fairs and flea markets across the United States, photographer David Ricci captured odd, humorous or even unsettling juxtapositions of trinkets and knick-knacks that expose deep-rooted conceptions of race, beauty, Christianity, class and objectification. </p>

No people appear in the images, but depictions of human figures suggest thoughts, dialogues, and narratives that transform lifeless objects and scenes into animated characters and tableaus. The book creates a powerful visual narrative that challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about American culture and history.

About the Author: David Ricci is a self-taught American photographer whose work explores human relationships with the environment and physical objects. His images function as both historical document and social mirror, compelling viewers to examine realities about American society and material culture.
Ricci has been awarded grants from the Mass Cultural Council, Artist's Resource Trust Fund, LensWork magazine, Luminous Landscape, and the Martha Boschen Porter Fund. His work has earned significant critical recognition, including the Annual Curator's Award from The Center for Photographic Art in Carmel, CA, and longlisting for the Aesthetica Art Prize in the UK.
His photographs have been exhibited and acquired by several museums including Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Fogg Museum at Harvard, Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Hyde Collection, Fleming Museum, DeCordova Museum, and Smith College Museum of Art among others. The artist's work has been featured in several publications including Lenscratch, Photomonitor, F-Stop, and Luminous Landscape.
His monograph, EDGE (Fall Line Press, 2022) received the Foreword Indies gold award in photography. His latest work, Hunter Gatherer, will be published in 2026 by MW Editions in New York City.

Bibliographic Details

Title: David Ricci: Hunter Gatherer
Publisher: MW Editions, US
Publication Date: 2026
Binding: Hardback
Condition: New